DeKALB — A local group wants to send a piece of home to soldiers serving in some of the more remote areas in the world.

 

American soldiers stationed in places like northern Africa and the Middle East don’t always have access to simple supplies like toiletries and are, at times, in of assistance. 

 

Groups in support of veterans can be found all over the country. DeKalb’s own American Legion Post No. 66, 1204 S. Fourth St., is one of those groups, and the organization collects supplies to send to service members in remote areas.

 

American Legion Post No. 66 is a non-profit organization in support of American veterans. Its brother organization, the Sons of the American Legions Post No. 66 is for males who have mothers, fathers or grandparents who’ve served in the military. 

 

Patrick Boyce, Sons of American Legions Post No. 66 commander, said the idea behind the organization was to take some of the burden off veterans by supporting servicemen and servicewomen and fundraising, among other things.

“There’s a lot of kids out there that need help,” Boyce said. “I mean, there’s things when they’re out there that they can’t get.”

 

Boyce said he assembles care packages made up of personal hygiene items, canned foods and anything they may be in need of once a month.

 

“It goes from there then to comfort things, so we would send them shampoos and soaps and things like that and then pillows, which is one of the harder things to ship,” Boyce said. “Then they get into the things like wanting tuna and hot sauce.”

 

Boyce said dentist offices donate small tubes of toothpaste to send overseas, and people who travel will often donate small shampoos, conditioners and moisturizers they get from hotels. Boyce also said those serving like the smaller items because they can keep them in their pockets while on marches.

 

“We supported a kid over the last five months who was in Afghanistan,” Boyce said. “I would talk to him through Messenger, find out what he needed.” 

 

Boyce said depending on where overseas troops are stationed, they have more or less access to amenities, so those in places like Afghanistan and Iraq often need support.

 

Rob McCann, chaplain of the American Legion Post No. 66, said those in the military go where they are told, whether it’s popular in the political climate or not, and for them to know the community is behind them as they serve the country helps keep them sane.

 

“What are we doing to make them know that we’re still here and that we care,” McCann said. “At the end of the day it can be a written letter of thanks, it can be some soap and mouthwash or whatever, but it’s less about what you’re giving and the fact that they know you are giving.”

 

K.J. King, NIU Veteran Club president, said he knows firsthand how it feels to receive care packages. 

 

“It makes the world of a difference just to know that we’re overseas, and we’re going through something totally different than people back home,” King said. 

Letters mean a lot to soldiers because it gives them an attachment to home, King said.

 

“When you write a letter to a veteran, or you send a care package, you’re showing that you have a small understanding,” King said. “You may not understand completely what’s going on, but you’re still supporting them.”